New Zealand’s largest electric trucks showcase electricity’s future role as the power source for heavy road vehicles. Fulton Hogan’s first two Volvo FM Electric 6×4 trucks join Auckland roads in April.
Purchased by Fulton Hogan with support from the EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund, the Volvos will each transport up to 16,000kg of asphalt from plants in Penrose and Drury to sites around the city.
Fulton Hogan has already worked with Volvo and EECA to pioneer other large electrically powered equipment but this is their first collaboration with road-going vehicles.
“It’s another learning step on the path to a low emissions fleet”, says Fulton Hogan NZ Chief Executive, Ben Hayward.
“For electricity to replace fossil fuel in large equipment like this we need organisations who are committed to investing in change, and we’re grateful to be working with two like-minded organisations to take this step.
He says that with the launch of the Volvo FM trucks across the company’s wider fleet, the potential opportunities to reduce emissions, with time, are enormous.
General Manager for Volvo Trucks NZ, Scott Holt, says transitioning to low-carbon fleets requires leaders like Fulton Hogan to deliver learnings that will enable others to follow.
“We’re committed to working to support the team’s commercial, safety and sustainability goals across their operations to help achieve this,” he says.
Modelling the efficacy of the 450 kWh vehicles prior to purchase showed their ‘sweet spot’ was short duration, cyclic trips in urban/suburban areas.
It indicated a 152km range with a full 16,000kg load, using 2.92 kWh/km at an average speed of 43km/h, including 38kWh of regenerated energy.
If these figures are consistent with actual use, this will reduce emissions by a combined total (both trucks) of approximately 150 tonnes CO2 annually compared with diesel powered trucks performing the same task over 60,000km per year.
In addition to the environmental benefits, there is a focus on safety. The truck’s new trailers have been designed and manufactured in Hamilton by Transport Trailers to eject their load without the need for tipping. This design is a significant safety improvement in terms of eliminating tip-over risk and overhead utility strikes.
Fulton Hogan is committed to introducing new carbon emission-reducing technology and equipment where the technology is available and meets operating needs.
In March 2025 the company electrified the crushing and conveying plant at New Zealand’s largest hard rock quarry – Stevenson’s Drury Quarry.
The electrification has substituted for three diesel mobile crushing trains, three diesel excavators, three diesel loaders and three diesel dump trucks.
About Fulton Hogan
Fulton Hogan delivers high-quality infrastructure to improve the lives of people in New Zealand and Australia, every day. Its 10,000-strong team works in every kind of weather, creating, connecting and caring for communities. After close to 100 years in business, the company believes resilient infrastructure will help tackle the challenges of a changing world.
